An up-to-date review on the progress and challenges of hydrogen storage, and its safety and economic analysis

Abstract

The demand for hydrogen is increasing every year and is expected to increase in the future which necessitates the establishment of safe storage of hydrogen for the end user. Hydrogen needs to overcome many challenges and the critical challenge is to achieve convenient, safe, and economical storage of hydrogen. Therefore, storing hydrogen at high pressure can mitigate the challenge of storing hydrogen to some extent. This paper found that among different types of cylinders, type IV is suitable for storing hydrogen at high pressure, NH₃B₃ and LiBH₄ hydrides have higher hydrogen capacities and LOHCs such as methanol and 1,2-dihydro-1,2-azaborine have higher hydrogen storage capacities than other hydrides and LOHCs respectively. To meet the global demand for hydrogen, large scale storage such as underground storage in depleted reservoirs, salt caverns, and aquifers can be an excellent option. The capability to store and release hydrogen from ammonia under controlled environments makes it a potential candidate for renewable energy storage and transportation applications, contributing to the transition towards a sustainable energy future. Ammonia oxidation for hydrogen storage represents an innovative approach to utilise the energy potential of ammonia as a carrier for hydrogen and this paper finds that ammonia offers several advantages, including its high hydrogen content by weight, ease of handling and transport compared to pure hydrogen, and existing infrastructure for production and distribution. Hydrogen production, consumption, and future demands are discussed and elaborated in the present research. This paper summarises the safety and cost of hydrogen storage. Furthermore, the paper rigorously addresses the ongoing challenges hindering the practical implementation of hydrogen storage technologies available. This comprehensive assessment offers a current overview of the state-of-the-art in hydrogen storage technologies, outlining both the significant progress made and the pivotal challenges that need attention.